Acting Police and Crime Commissioner powers

New legislation brought in by the government in response to the Coronavrius health emergency confirmed that Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) elections are now postponed until May 2021.

The Coronavirus Act 2020 allowed Ministers to make regulations concerning PCC elections.  Regulation 10 of The Local Government and Police and Crime Commissioner (Coronavirus) (Postponement of Elections and Referendums) (England and Wales) Regulations 2020  confirms that the term of office of an incumbent Acting PCC will continue to May 2021.  As such, an Acting PCC can exercise all the powers that elected PCCs have apart from varying or issuing a Police and Crime Plan

In Cambridgeshire, this means Ray Bisby remains in an ‘acting’ position as he has not been elected into the role. He will continue to take practical decisions to keep communities across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough safe, focussing on victims, offenders, communities and transformation putting victims at is heart, bringing offenders to justice and deterring them from reoffending. He will also continue to issue crime and disorder grants under the context of the current Plan.

Any decisions Mr Bisby makes will be taken in line with our existing decision making policy.

The Police and Crime Panel continues to have a role in scrutinising the decisions and actions of the Acting Commissioner. While its public meetings are suspended owing to the Covid-19 pandemic, the chair and vice-chair of the Panel are holding regular teleconference calls with the Acting Commissioner and his staff.